Fertilizer distributor



Nov. 25, 1952 G. w. GILEs ET A1.

FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed Feb. 8, 1946 5 sheets-sheet 1 Q Q NN n ma v NN/ QN n D M N@ o a Q o Q Q /MQN o nu o o o mm. MNH, xt.. bw A Vwi I o o o .f MQ Nk v .o 1 QN Nm w @N n M, o mn nu 0 NW Nk o mh o o sw ,f ww wk NQ o. Y uw o s. o mN\ f v A S, L f Nm) UNI \L'l QN l/o hm: MNM. G wn on G. W. GILES ET AL Nov. 25, 1`g52 FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed Feb. 8,4 1946 -3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m uw l NN QN @M w Nov. 25, 1952 G,.w. GILE's ETAL 2,619,260

FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed Feb. 8, 194e s sheets-sheet s Bnventor Cttorneg satented ov. 25, 13952:?i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Application February 8, 1946, Serial No. 646,248

6 Claims.

This invention relates to agricultural implements, and more particularly to a fertilizer distributor adapted for use as a separate unit or in combination with planters- The fertilizer distributor of our invention is arranged with a simple and light-weight construction Such as to allow it to be pulled lby a single draft animal and requiring only one person to operate it either alone or in combination with a planter. An important feature of our fertilizer distributor is an improved arrangement for feed regulation of the fertilizer making it possible to control the rate at which fertilizer is fed effectively over a wide range.

Another important feature is the provision of a supporting frame structure including a hopper support frame and a running gear frame pivotally connected to the support frame, and associated with means for manipulating the frame structure so that the fertilizer distributing mechanism may be easily shifted to inoperative position Without requiring the use of complicated clutch mechanisms and the like.

Our fertilizer distributor also includes greatly simplied means for mounting earth working elements as part of the equipment which function to build a bed for a subsequent planting operation, and further incorporates a unique coupling means for use where the fertilizer distributor is to be employed in combination with a planter. This coupling means comprises a hinge assembly having a pivot axis oriented with an inclination off of Vertical. This inclination has the effect of disposing the fertilizer distributor in combination with a planter so that the units tend to travel in line but are adapted to pivot at the point of coupling and maintain the path of operation of the planter centrally disposed with respect to the operation of the fertilizer distributor when the fertilizer distributor is directed in a curved path. It will be recognized that this latter feature is of particular importance in connection with the currently increasing practice of contour farming.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the fertilizer distributor of our invention including an illustration of the manner of association with a planter;

Fig. 2 is a corresponding top plan View with the upper supply portion of the hopper assembly removed;

Fig. 3 is a detail in plan showing the disposition of the fertilizer depositing legs rearwardly of the furrow opening elements;

Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating the arrangement of the running gear frame;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail of the hopper assembly oriented substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6' is a corresponding detail oriented substantially on the line 6-5 of Fig. 2

Fig. 7 is a further similar detail taken substantially on the line 'I-'I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lower hopper support portion;

Fig. 9 is a corresponding perspective view of the shiftable feed regulating bands;

Fig. 10 is a side view partly in section of the seeming means for the earth working elements;

Fig. 1l is a corresponding left face view;

Fig. 12 is a corresponding top plan view; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail, partly in section, of the arrangement of the coupling means for attaching the planter unit to the fertilizer distributor of the present invention.

As illustrated in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, the fertilizer distributor of the present invention comprises generally a hopper assembly II] arranged in association with furrow opening elements II and I2 and depositing legs I3 which are disposed rearwardly of the furrow opening elements II and I2. These furrow opening elements II and I2 are transversely positioned to open spaced furrows, and the hopper assembly I8 is adapted to feed fertilizer to the depositing legs I3 for deposit in the furrows opened by the elements II and I2.

The supporting frame structure for the fertilizer distributor includes a hopper support frame I4 and a running gear frame I5 which is pivotally connected as at IIS to the hopper sup-port frame I4. The hopper assembly ID, furrow opening elements II and I2, and distributing legs I3 are all carried on the hopper support frame I4. Earth working elements Il are also arranged on support frame I4, which function to cover the furrows opened by elements II and I2 and to throw earth inwardly to build a bed for a subsequent planting operation.

The hopper support frame It is formed with transversely spaced longitudinal portions which converge inwardly at each end to a more or less pointed junction (see Fig. 2). At the forward end of the support frame I 4, a hitch bar I8 is provided for coupling the equipment to a draft animal or the like. The hitch bar I8 is formed with a suitably spaced series of apertures as shown for proper coupling adjustment. At the rear end of support frame I4, a hinge assembly as indicated at I9 is arranged to provide a coupling means for attaching a planter for use in combination with the fertilizer distributor.

The running gear frame I 5 curves downwardly from the pivoted connection at I6 with support frame I4 to form a generally rectangular underlying frame structure (see Fig. 4). The running gear for the fertilizer distributor, which includes wheels 20 and axle 2I, is arranged in relation to this frame I5, the axle 2I being journaled in bearings 22 carried by the frame.

The running gear also comprises a gear member 23 xed on axle 2l to provide a driving means, as is described more in detail below, for the hopper assembly I0. At the rear of the running gear frame I5 an extending bracket 24 is disposed for connection with a manipulating linkage by which the frame I5 may be pivoted with respect to the support frame I4 to engage and disengage gear member 23 with the hopper assembly I at will. This manipulating linkage (see Fig. 1) comprises a link member 25 pivoted on hopper support frame I4 as at 26 and having a segment portion 21. A second link member 28 connects link member 25 with the previously mentioned extending bracket 24 on running gear frame I5.

It will be seen that if link member 25 is pivoted so that segment portion 21 moves in a clockwise direction then the rea-r end of running gear frame I will be drawn toward support frame I4. And as this movement of frames I4 and I5 will take place in relation to axle 2|, due to the fact that wheels 20 rest on the ground and will remain stationary, gear 23 on axle 2l will be presented to hopper assembly I0; and, as will be pointed out more in detail below, driving connection between gear 23 and hopper assembly I3 will be effected under these Conditions. Conversely, by counter-clockwise movement of segment portion 21, running gear frame I5 will be pivoted away from support frame I4, and the driving connection between gear 23 and hopper assembly I il will be disengaged.

Means for controlling the movement of segment portion 21 is provided through a flexible connection 29 to a lifting lever 30. The lifting lever 30 is mounted on one of the handles 3| for the fertilizer distributor which extend from suitable bracket supports 32 arranged on support frame I4. The lifting lever 3G is pivoted in a bearing mounting as at 33 on handle 3 I, and the ilexible connection 29 runs to a point of attachment as at 34 on lifting lever 30. The segment portion 21 is shown in Fig. 1 shifted to the full extent in counter-clockwise direction so that running gear frame I5 is fully spaced apart from support frame I4 and gear member 23 is consequently disengaged from hopper assembly I5. For this position of segment portion 21 lifting lever 30 is pivoted in full upward position to effect the necessary extension of flexible connection 29 from segment portion 21. In this position it will be noted that the line of pull on flexible connection 29 passes under the pivot point for lifting lever 30 so as to lock the lever 39 in this position on the rest provided by cross brace 35 running between handles 3|.

To engage gear 23 with hopper assembly I3, lifting lever 35 is shifted clockwise around the pivot point in bracket 33 to release the pull on flexible connections 29 and allow segment portion 21 to pivot clockwise of frame I4. The weight of frame I4 and the elements which it carries will require segment portion 21 to pivot 4 in this manner when the pull on flexible connection 29 is released, with the result that link members 25 and 2S will be shifted to draw support frame I4 and running gear frame I5 together and present gear 23 to hopper assembly I3 as previously mentioned.

The flexible connection indicated at 29 in the drawing may be a chain or any other suitable means for forming a exible linkage between segment portion 21 and lifting lever 30. This connection is made flexible because when the supporting frame structure is manipulated to present gear 23 to hopper assembly I0, the effect is really to lower support frame I4 in relation to axle 2i which remains stationary because wheels 20 are resting on the ground. Now as support frame I4 is lowered, furrow opening elements II and I2 and earth working elements I1 will also be lowered. But as these elements are disposed to enter the ground when the fertilizer distributor is in operative position, it will be seen that they will rest on the ground and prevent gear 23 from assuming a driving position with respect to hopper assembly I0 until the equipment has been moved far enough to take these elements into the ground. By making connection 29 exible, according to the arrangement of the present invention, the manipulation of the supporting frame structure is still easily accomplished despite this circumstance, for connection 29 will merely slack when furrow opening elements I I and I2 and earth working elements I1 reach the ground, and allow the driving connection between gear 23 and hopper assembly IS to follow as these elements are taken into the ground with movement of the fertilizer distributor. Thus no attention to the lifting lever 33 is required while the driving connection is made as would be necessary if the usual rigid connection with a rack and pawl adjustment were used.

The hopper assembly IG which as previously noted is adapted to feed fertilizer to the depositing legs I3 for deposit in the furrows opened by the elements II and I2 is illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive. As illustrated, the assembly IU comprises an open-bottom hopper including an upper supply containing portion 36 having a generally flared shape as shown, and a lower support portion 3?. The lower support portion 31 is formed with mounting arms 38 which extend for attachment on support frame I4. This attachment is accommodated by the previously mentioned handle support brackets 32 and a second pair of suitably arranged support brackets 39 (see Figs. l and 2). The mounting arms 38 are received on support brackets 32 and 39 by means of bolts arranged as at 43, the mounting arms 38 being formed with open slots or notches 4I so that the lower support portion 38 may be easily disposed on and removed from the support frame I4. The lower support portion 38 is also formed with ears 42 adapted to provide a means fol` fixing the upper hopper portion 36 in place through screw fastenings as at 43.

As previously mentioned, the upper supply portion 36 and lower support portion 31 form an open-bottom hopper. To provide a bottom closure for the hopper arranged in this manner, a plate member is arranged as indicated at 44. The plate member 44 is carried on a separate support member 45 which is bolted directly to frame I4 as at 45. The support member 45 is formed with a central boss 41 and plate member 44 is provided with a central aperture adapted to t over the boss 41 as shown. Immediately surrounding boss 41 plate member 45 extends horizontally to provide a bearing surface as at 48 adapted to maintain plate member 44 levelly disposed as a bottom closure for the hopper but providing plate member 44 with a rotatable mounting around boss 41 as a pivot point.

Beyond the bearing surface 48 support member 45 is formed to provide clearance for a downwardly extending circular flange 45 formed on plate member d4. The extending edge of this flange 49 is worked with gear teeth as at 50 so as to form a ring gear. The flange 49 and gear teeth 55 formed in this manner are disposed in relation to gear 23 carried by axle 2| and when gear 23 is presented for driving connection with hopper assembly I5 by manipulation of the support frame structure as previously described, gear 23 will engage gear teeth 5l! on flange 49 so that plate member d4 will be rotated during operation of the fertilizer distributor.

This rotation of plate member 45 is effected to feed fertilizer from the hopper assembly I5. The feeding is accomplished through side wall openings 5I formed in the lower hopper support portion 31 (see Fig. 8). The plate member 44 is inclined downwardly away from its center as shown in the drawing, and with a supply of fertilizer in the hopper rotation of plate member 45 will obviously cause fertilizer to be fed through the side wall openings 5 I Fertilizer issuing from openings 5I in this manner is received in a surrounding annular channel concentric with the hopper, formed by an upstanding peripheral flange 52 on plate member 134.

To regulate the rate at which fertilizer is fed from the hopper, a shiftable band member 53 is associated with the lower hopper support portion S1. The band member 53 fits the support portion 31 exteriorly over the side wall openings 52 and is attached by screw fastenings as at 54 engaging support portion 31 and extending through slots 55 in the band 53 so that it may be shifted on support portion 31 for the extent of slots 55, the band member 53 being provided with extending pins 55 to provide an easy means for accomplishing the shifting. Band member 53 is further formed with notched portions 51 (see Fig. 9) which correspond in extent with the side wall openings 5I in hopper support portion 31.

This arrangement makes it possible to adjust the position of band member 53 on hopper support portion 31 so that the notches 51 may be disposed to uncover the side Wall openings 5I in any desired degree and thus regulate the rate at which fertilizer is fed through the side wall openings 5 I. The disposition of band member 53 for this purpose is readily adjusted to effect the rate of feeding, and at a. given adjustment the band member 53 may be locked in relation to hopper support portion 31 by tightening up the screw fastenings 54. This method of regulating the rate of fertilizer distribution has given excellent results under actual test conditions particularly in the range of high feeding rates where substantial difiiculty is normally encountered in obtaining proper regulation. W ith the arrangement of the present invention as just described we have found that the rate of feeding increases substantially as a straight line function of the extent to which side Wall Openings 5I are uncovered by shifting band member 53.

In order to distribute the fertilizer fed from the hopper to the depositing legs I3 for deposit in the furrows opened by furrow opening elements II and I2, deflecting members 58 are disposed to transfer fertilizer from the surrounding channel formed by peripheral flange 52 on plate member 44 to the depositing legs E3. These deflecting members 58 may be generally described as plow shaped elements (see Fig. '1), and they are pivoted on hopper support portion 31 as at 59 so that the plow shaped end is disposed to ride plate member 44' in the surrounding channel portion formed by flange 52. The deflecting elements 58 are further disposed in relation to the intake cup portions 50 of depositing legs I3 (see Fig. 2). As described above, plate member 44 rotates during operation of the fertilizer distributor to feed fertilizer to the channel portion inside flange 52, and as fertilizer accumulates in the channel portion it will be carried toward the deilecting elements 58, the faces of which are presented in a direction opposed to the direction of rotation of plate member 44 as indicated at 6I. The fertilizer will accordingly be transferred from the channel portion by these deecting faces 6I over the ange 52 into the intake cup portions 60 of depositing legs I3.

The depositing legs I3 are of well known spiral wrap construction rendering them adjustable for disposition in relation to the furrow opening elements II and I2. The furrow opening elements Il and I2 may be of any convenient type. We have obtained good results with conventional sword plows which have the advantage of forming a furrow of uniform depth with resulting uniformity in the manner in which the fertilizer is deposited. The furrow opening elements II and I2 are carried from support frame I4 on support bars 62, and a bolt and slot adjustment as at 63 is provided for depth regulation. The depositing legs I3 are disposed at their lower end rearwardly of the furrow opening elements II and I2, the mounting portion 64 of each of the elements II and I2 being adapted to receive the depositing legs as illustrated in Fig. 3,

An important feature of the arrangement of the furrow opening elements II and I2 and depositing legs I3 is their diagonal disposition with respect to the hopper assembly or dispensing unit I0 (see Figs. 1 and 2). With the usual side by side arrangement of furrow openers in equipment of this type, considerable trouble is encountered due to clogging of the opener elements with trash and the like which normally accumulates on farm land. By arranging the furrow opening elements II and I2, as shown in the drawing, with a diagonal as well as transverse spacing, this difficulty is eliminated because the trash cannot lodge lbetween the diagonally disposed openers II and I2. Moreover, this diagonal disposition has the further advantage of maintaining the total quantity of fertilizer metered from the dispensing unit I3 constant regardless of tilting of the machine during operation, such as would occur when rough or unlevel ground was being Worked. When tilting occurs, one band of the fertilizer deposited may be heavier than the other, but the total quantity deposited will remain substantially even, because of the diagonal arrangement of the openers II and I2 and associated depositing legs I3, and it has been found that variations in quantity between the bands apparently has little effect on plant yield as long as the total quantity of fertilizer deposit-ed is substantially uniform.

Following opening of the spaced furrows and deposit-of the fertilizer in these furrows as just described, the furrows are closed by the previously mentioned earth working elements I1 which are disposed rearwardly from support frame I4. These earth working elements I1 suitably consist of conventional disk members as illustrated, and in addition to covering the furrows formed by opening elements I I and I2 they may perform the further function of throwing soil inwardly for a subsequent planting operation when desired. A cross bar 65 is carried transversely by support frame I4 to provide a mounting for earth working elementsv I1.l

To render the mounting of-elements I1 on cross bar 65 adjustable in Vrelation to opening elements II and I2, an adjustable securing means is provided as indicated at 66. This securing means 66 engages the support rod 61 carrying the elements I1 so that these elements maybe adjusted as to depth, shifted transversely, and iixed angularly in accordance with the particular earth working conditions encountered. The securing means B6 is illustrated more in detail in Figs. l0, 11 and l2, and comprises a body block 68 in which yoke members 69 are fixed to extend w above and below cross bar 65 around the support rods 61 of element I1, and an intermediate bearing block having a recessed face adapted to the configuration of support rods 61 is also provided as for inner engagement with support rod 61. A stud screw 1I is centrally located in body block 63 and is arranged so that it may be screwed down in engagement with cross bar 65,

When assembled the support rods 61 are received through yoke members 653 with intermedi- I ate bearing block 1I) interposed between the support rod 51 and cross bar 65. and stud screw 1I is then tightened down to grip the support rod 61 between yoke members 59 and intermediate bearing blocks 10. With this arrangement the earth working elements I1 can be securely positioned as desired, and it will be noted that the positioning can be effected by adjustment at only one point; that is, the entire adjustment is controlled through stud screw 1I and can be easily accomplished without the necessity for dealing with a number of points of fastening as is usually the case in mountings of this type.

As noted above, a coupling means I9 is provided at the rear end of support frame I4 for attaching a planter unit to the fertilizer distributor of the present invention when it is desired to use these units in combination. Any suitable planter unit may be used in this event, and a number of types are well known and commonly available. rl`he disposition of a planter unit coupled to the fertilizer distributor of the present invention is indicated generally in Figs. 1 and 2 as at 12. As shown, the planter 12 incorporates the elements usually common in units of this type. A seed hopper is shown at 13 carried on a frame 14, and a furrow opener 15 is disposed from frame 14 centrally below hopper 13. Rearwardly of frame 14, packing wheels 16 are arranged in the usual manner to form a support for the planter unit 12, and also cover the .seed furrow and pack the covering earth. With movement of planter unit 12, opener 15 will prepare a seed furrow in which seeds will be deposited by means of a suitable distributing mechanism (not shown) operating in hopper 13, the distributing mechanism being operated through a driving connection from packing wheels 1S as at 11.

The coupling means I 9 for attaching the planter unit 12 comprises essentially a hinge assembly of which one element consists of a bracket 18 mounted at the rear end of support frame I4, and formed with upper and lower extending arms terminating in tubular elements 'I9 and 82] adapted to receive a hinge pin BI. The hinge structure is completed by a tubular portion 82 formed at the extending end of an arm 83 arranged from frame 14 of the planter unit 12. The tubular portion 82 of arm 83 is proportioned to fit between the extending tubular'elements 19 and 3U of bracket 18 and be assembled in hinge relation to these elements on pin SI.

It will also be noted that the tubular portion 82 of arm 83 and the tubular elements 19 and of bracket 18 are disposed so as to orient the longitudinal axis of pin 8I with an inclination off of vertical. This arrangement of the pivot axis of coupling means I9 disposes the planter unit and fertilizer distributor so that they tend to travel in line, because any pivoting of the units at the coupling means I9 Causes the frame members to rise at this point; and as a substantial portion of the weight of the unit is placed on coupling means I9 due to the relative positions of wheels 2U and packing wheels 16, this result is normally opposed. But when the fertilizer distributor is directed in a curved path, such as in planting terraces or on the contour, pivoting will take place at coupling means I9 if the pivot axis is oriented with a proper inclination. We have f-ound that an inclination of about 12 off of vertical gives very satisfactory results. By providing for pivoting in this manner it is possible to maintain the path of operation of the planter substantially centrally disposed with respect to the spaced band of fertilizer deposited by the fertilizer distributor despite the curved path of travel.

The -fertilizer distributor of the present invention may otherwise be used separately if desired. It ymay be very advantageously employed in this manner for example in connection with transplanting -operations to fertilize the bed before setting out the planting. When used for this purpose a marking pin (not shown) may be arranged in the tubular elements 'I9 and 80 of bracket 18 to mark the planting row in relation to the fertilizer bands deposited.

We claim:

l. vIn a fertilizer distributor including a supporting frame structure, and spaced depositing legs disposed on said frame structure: a hopper assembly carried by said frame structure for distributing fertilizer to said depositing legs comprising an open-bottomed hoppel` having adjustable side-wall openings adjacent its lower end, a rotatable plate member adapted as a bottom `closure for said hopper, said plate member being inclined downwardly from its center uniformly in all directions toward its periphery and having an upstanding peripheral flange concentrically spaced with respect to the lower end of said hopper to form a surrounding channel, means for rotating said plate member to feed fertilizer from said hopper through said adjustable side-wall openings into said channel, and deflecting members disposed to transfer fertilizer from said channel to said depositing legs.

2. In a fertilizer distributor including depositing legs arranged in spaced relation: a hopper assembly for distributing fertilizer to said depositing legs comprising an open-bottom hopper having adjustable side-wall openings adjacent its lowerend, a rotatable plate member adapted as a bottom closure -for said hopper, said plate member being inclined downwardly from its center in all directions toward its periphery and having an upstanding peripheral flange concentrically spaced with respect to the lower end of said hopper to form a surrounding channel, a support frame carrying said hopper', said plate member, and said depositing legs in association, running gear for said fertilizer distributor and a running gear frame pivotally connected to said support frame, means associated with said running gear for rotating said plate member to Ifeed fertilizer from said hopper through said adjustable sidewall openings into said surrounding channel, de" iiecting members disposed to transfer fertilizer from said channel to said depositing legs, and means for pivoting said running gear frame with respect to said support frame to engage and disengage said rotating means with said plate member at will.

3. A fertilizer distributor comprising an openbottom hopper havine adjustable side-Wall openings adjacent its lower end, said side-wall openings being rendered adjustable vby a band member disposed on said hopper in fixed vertical relation but shiftable circumierentially in covering relation with respect to said side-wall openings, said band member being formed with notches corresponding in extent with said sidewall openings, whereby upon shifting of said band member said side-wall openings may be uncoi7m ered at a selected adjusted horizontal width while maintaining a constant vertical extent, a plate member` adapted as a bottom closure for said hopper, said plate member being inclined downwardly from its center uniformly in all directions toward its periphery having a flange portion provided with a ring gear, a support frame carrying said hopper and said plate meinber in association, running gear for said fertilizer distributor and a running gear frame pivotally connected to said support frame, a gear element associated with said running gear for driving engagement with the ring gear portion of said plate member to rotate said pla-te member and thereby feed fertilizer from said hopper through said adjustable side-wall openings, and means for pivoting said running gear frame with respect to said support frame to engage and disengage said gear element with said plate member at will.

4. A fertilizer distributor comprising a supporting frame structure, a hopper mounted on said frame structure, a plate member rotatably carried by said frame structure and dispo-sed as a bottom closure for said hopper, said plate member being inclined downwardly from its center uniformly in all directions ytoward its periphery, side Wall openings formed in said hopper adjacent said plate member, and a band member disposed circumferentially on said hopper, and said band member being formed with notches corresponding in extent with said side wall openings, Whereby upon shifting of said band member said side wall openings may be uncovered for a selected horizontal width while maintaining a `constant Vertical extent.

5. A fertilizer distributor comprising an openbottom hopper having adjustable side-wall openings adjacent its lower end, said side wall openings being rendered adjustable by a band member disposed on said hopper in fixed vertical relation but shiitable circumferentially in covering relation with respect to said side Wall openings, said .band member being 'formed with notches corresponding in extent with said side wall openings, whereby upon shifting of said band member said side wall openings may be uncovered for a selected horizontal width while maintaining a constant vertical extent, a plate member adapted as a bottom closure for said hopper, said plate member being inclined downwardly from its center uniformly in all directions toward its periphery, a supporting frame member carrying said hopper and plate member in association, and means for rotating said plate member to feed fertilizer from said hopper through said adjustable side-Wall openings.

6. A fertilizer distributor as defined in claim 5 in that the means for rotating said p-late member comprises a iiange portion at the periphery of said plate member having its lower edge shaped to form a ring gear, running gear for said fertilizer distributor and a running gear frame pivotally connected to said supporting frame, a gear element associated with said running gear for driving engagement with said ring gear at the flange portion of said plate mem-ber, and means for pivoting said running gear frame with respect to said support frame to engage and disengage said gear element with said plate element at Wl.

GEORGE W. GILES. RASSIE E. WICKER.

CES @FEED The following references are of record in the die this patent:

UNTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 362,943 Daniels May 17, 1887 592,774 Frazier Nov. 2, 1897 801,139 Eisenhart Oct. 3, 1905 911,816 Gielow Feb. 9, 1909 1,107,992 Parrish Aug. 18, 1914 v1,124,503 Moyle Jan. 12, 1915 1,770,641 Brennan July 15, 1930 1,801,980 Robins-on et al Apr. 21, 1931 1,964,176 Root June 26, 1934 2,042,014 Michael et al May 26, 1936 `2,309,353 Paden Jan. 26, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 313,601 Italy Dec. 30, 1933 

